The Hope Democratic Party, (HDP) has called for immediate cancellation of the last Saturday’s Imo governorship election over alleged missing of its party’s logo and governorship candidate’s name from the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) ballot paper.
The state Publicity Secretary of HDP, John Chinedu , disclosed this to newsmen in Owerri, while speaking on the issues arising from the concluded governorship election.
He said, “We the state executive members of the Hope Democratic Party. (HDP), wish to express high level of disappointment over the observed unlawful exclusion of our party and her Governorship candidate’s name and party logo from the ballot in the just concluded November 11th the 2023 Governorship Election in Imo State.
“Our Party got a subsisting court order on 1st of March 2023 from the Federal High court, Abuja directing INEC never to interfere in Hope Democratic Party activities as a registered political party in Nigeria which compels INEC to allow us participate actively In the November 11, 2023 Governorship Election in Imo State as registered political party in Nigeria.
“We had anticipated that INEC should respect the court order by according Hope Democratic Party the same right and privileges given to other registered political Party that participated in the last Saturday Governorship Election in Imo State.
It is very Disheartening to see our validly nominated Governorship and deputy Governorship candidate’s name being excluded unlawfully.
“We had successful congress and primary election in Imo State as provided by law, submitted all forms with every documentary requirements and completely sponsored our candidates for the purpose of participating in the election scheduled for November 11th ,just like every other registered political party.
“Our candidates Affidavits form sworn in the High Court was submitted including the INEC, nomination forms which were also submitted to INEC duly inline with the INEC timetable and electoral guidelines.
“We as executives of the party and over a million lovers and supporters of our great party and our Governorship candidate were so surprised, disappointed and disenfranchised by INEC on Saturday 11th the of November 2023 when we trooped out to vote but did not see our party Governorship candidate’s name and logo in the ballot papers on Saturday .
“Our team of lawyers has started legal preparations to cancel the election at the tribunal in order to compel INEC to include HDP and her candidate in afresh Governorship election. We are optimistic that our party will win Imo Governorship seat if a fresh election for Imo Governorship position is re-conducted in Imo State.
“We as a party, hereby call on all our teaming party faithful and supporters who are still angry over the unlawful action of INEC to remain law abiding as we seek for lawful and legal means to persuade INEC to obey the rule of law.
“INEC committed the highest level of unlawful exclusion in Nigeria by excluding Hope Democratic Party and her Governorship Candidate from the just concluded Imo Governorship Election”. Chinedu said.
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